Posts Tagged ‘Edinson Volquez’
Monday, April 7th, 2008
Reds rookie starting pitcher Edinson Volquez received a standing ovation from 26,566 fans after allowing only one run to the Phillies while striking out 7 in 5 1/3 innings pitched on Sunday. If you missed the boat on picking up Johnny Cueto for your fantasy squad, Volquez is your man. He had the most K’s of any pitcher in spring training and looks to continue that trend into the regular season. Johnny Cueto is one of his best friends and the two have a friendly rivalry going which should motivate them both this season. When asked about Cueto’s slightly better 10K performance last week, Volquez took a light-hearted jab:
“Cueto cheated, because I didn’t pitch seven innings like him,” Volquez said smiling. “No, I don’t feel like we’re in competition. We’re all teammates. I just feel really excited to get my first win in Cincinnati.”
Tags: Edinson Volquez, Fantasy Sleepers, MLB Prospect News
Posted in 2008 Fantasy Draft Sleepers, Edinson Volquez, Reds Prospects, SP | No Comments »
Saturday, March 29th, 2008
Kind of a funny piece today from Reds beat writer John Fay. He shows his projected lineup and rotation from two months ago, on February 5th. He had 1B Joey Votto batting lead off, and starting CF Jay Bruce batting in the 7 spot. Of course we know now that Bruce has been optioned to Triple-A and Cincinnati’s new CF is Corey Patterson, who wasn’t even on the Reds on February 5th. Fay is still projecting Votto in the starting lineup, but batting 8th in the lineup instead of lead off.
Fay didn’t fair quite as well with his projected starting rotation. After the obvious first two in Harang and Arroyo, he had Matt Belisle, Jeremy Affeldt, and Homer Bailey. Fay missed on all three. Today the 3-5 spots in the rotation are expected to be occupied by Johnny Cueto, Josh Fogg, and Edinson Volquez. All of the Reds top prospects are definite fantasy sleepers this year.
Tags: Edinson Volquez, Homer Bailey, Jay Bruce, Joey Votto, Johnny Cueto, MLB Prospects, Reds
Posted in 1B, 2008 Fantasy Draft Sleepers, CF, Edinson Volquez, Homer Bailey, Jay Bruce, Joey Votto, Johnny Cueto, MLBPN Top Prospects, OF, P, Reds Prospects, SP, Top 5 Prospects | No Comments »
Tuesday, March 25th, 2008
In Tuesday’s spring training game against the Philly’s, Edinson Volquez continued his break-out spring with another dazzling performance, pitching five innings while allowing only one run and striking out five. His spring line looks like it should belong to a seasoned fire-baller like Johan Santana rather than the young kid who was 3-11 with a 7.20 ERA in 20 games for the Rangers over three seasons. Volquez has made 2 starts (both wins) in 6 spring appearances. In his 20 innings pitched he’s allowed only 6 runs for a 2.70 ERA, and struck out 26 for the highest K/9 ratio in the majors (yes, better than Johan’s).
Reds manager Dusty Baker hasn’t officially announced that Volquez will win the job, but from what he’s been saying about the pitcher it would be a shock if that wasn’t the case. Baker had this to say about Tuesday’s outing:
“He looked very good, especially since it was his second time seeing those guys,” Baker said. “I like his mound presence and his poise. He’s in the strike zone. He throws quality strikes.”
When asked point-blank if Volquez was the fifth starter, Baker said that he had a “great chance”.
Those words should be all the encouragement a savvy fantasy manager needs to pick Volquez up off of the waiver wire before the official news comes out. There is no telling how productive a Major League season Volquez could have with no track record to speak of, but if his amazing spring is any indication he could be very, very good this year.
Tags: Edinson Volquez, Fantasy Sleepers, MLB Prospect News, MLB Sleepers, Prospects
Posted in 2008 Fantasy Draft Sleepers, Edinson Volquez, Reds Prospects, SP | No Comments »
Saturday, March 8th, 2008
In this three way battle for one or two spots in the Reds’ rotation, one prospect clearly has the upper hand, and its probably not who you think.
- On Wednesday, Homer Bailey and Edinson Volquez both pitched with some success against the Red Sox. Bailey allowed 5 hits including a two run single to Kevin Cash, but other than that was fairly solid over three innings with two strikeouts. According to Mark Sheldon of MLB.com, the biggest thing for Bailey was that he improved upon his last outing by making better use of his off-speed pitches in order to get ahead in the count. For his two starts in the spring, Bailey has given up 6 hits and 2 earned runs in 5 IP (3.60 ERA) with 3 walks and 3 strikeouts.
- Johnny Cueto by far has the most impressive numbers of the three prospects at this early stage in spring. He has pitched 5 innings and has given up 1 run on 5 hits with 6 strikeouts. Four of those strikeouts came in his first start of the spring on Friday against the Pirates, where he went for 3 IP and allowed only 1 hit and no walks. His fastball scorched at 97 mph at least once, but generally stayed in the 93-94 mph range. He also has a great slider and a nasty change-up in the mid-70’s that acts as an excellent out-pitch. According to John Fay of the Reds Insider, it sounds like Dusty Baker wants to keep Cueto around in the rotation this year:
“If you have good stuff, you can make hitters swing and miss and foul off pitches off. Ninety-five is 95. Ninety-five with location, boy.”
It was pointed out that Cueto hit 97. “I believe that — 97 with location and nasty change-up and slider.”
Based on the early spring results, Fay thinks the starting five currently looks like this: Aaron Harang, Bronson Arroyo, Johnny Cueto, Josh Fogg, and Homer Bailey. He thinks Volquez will probably make the team but might get shifted to the bullpen. As a fantasy manager, its time to add all three pitchers to your watchlist, and seriously think about drafting Cueto for his tremendous upside if you have space on the roster.
Tags: Edinson Volquez, Fanasy Draft 2008, Fantasy Sleepers, Homer Bailey, Johnny Cueto, MLB Prospect News, Prospects, Sleepers
Posted in 2008 Fantasy Draft Sleepers, Edinson Volquez, Homer Bailey, Johnny Cueto, MLBPN Top Prospects, Reds Prospects, SP | No Comments »
Thursday, February 28th, 2008
- Sean Deveney of SportingNews is worried Dusty Baker might adversely rush the development of the Reds’ three young pitching studs, Homer Bailey, Edinson Volquez and Johnny Cueto.
- In this Cincinnati Enquirer article, Dusty Baker explains that he would rather see the Reds’ pitching prospects in long relief than sent down to the minors.
- Jay Bruce is keeping a cool head, despite the lofty expectations that come with being the top prospect. Still no updates on whether or not Bruce will start in Cincinnati or Triple-A Louisville.
Tags: Edinson Volquez, Homer Bailey, Jay Bruce, Johnny Cueto, MLB Prospects, Reds
Posted in 2008 Fantasy Draft Sleepers, CF, Edinson Volquez, Homer Bailey, Jay Bruce, Johnny Cueto, MLBPN Top Prospects, OF, P, RP, Reds Prospects, SP | No Comments »
